Film transporting mechanism for still cameras

ABSTRACT

A still camera for use with roll film having a row of perforations, one for each film frame, wherein a feeler penetrates into an oncoming perforation shortly prior to completion of film transport by the length of a frame and allows an arresting lever to engage and stop a positioning wheel at the exact moment when the transport of film by the length of a frame is completed. The film transporting mechanism has a reciprocable input member which is moved from a starting position to an end position during a first stage of film transport by the length of a frame, which is thereupon retracted to a first intermediate position short of the starting position, which is thereupon again moved toward but short of the end position to complete the transport of film by the length of a frame, and which is thereupon retraced to its starting position. The positioning wheel rotates back and forth in response to movements of the input member and carries a displacing stud which disengages the arresting lever from the positioning wheel when the input member returns to its starting position and which cooperates with a control lever to arrest the input member in the first intermediate position.

United States Patent Hackenberg et al. Nov. 4, 1975 FILM TRANSPORTING MECHANISM FOR STILL CAMERAS [57] ABSTRACT ll'lvemofsi Hubert Hackenberg; g ried A still camera for use with roll film having a row of bbel both of Mumch- Gfirmany perforations, one for each film frame, wherein a feeler 73 Assigneez AgfwGewlm AG, Leverkusen penetrates into an oncoming perforation shortly prior Germany to completion of film transport by the length of a frame and allows an arresting lever to engage and stop [22] led: I974 a positioning wheel at the exact moment when the 2 Appl 453,374 transport of film by the length of a frame is completed. The film transporting mechanism has a reciprocable input member which is moved from a starting Foreign pp Priority Dam position to an end position during a first stage of film Mar, 27, 1973 Germany 1, 2315097 transport by the length ofa frame, which is thereupon retracted to a first intermediate position short of the [52] US. Cl 354/213; 354/213 starting position, which is thereupon again moved [5 1] Int. Cl. (103B [/00 toward but short of the end position to complete the [58] Field of Search 354/2 l 3 transport of film by the length of a frame and which is thereupon retraced to its starting position. The posi [56] References Cited tioning wheel rotates back and forth in response to UNITED STATES PATENTS movements of the input member and carries a displac- 3 665 830 571972 Maeda 3W2 17 mg Stud which disengages arresting from the sleszlose 3/1972 Simon 1. 354/215 Positioning Wheel when member mum-5 3,714,877 2/1973 Schroder 354/213 its Starting Position and which cooperates with a 3,774.513 1 1/1973 Ettischer 354/213 trol lever to arrest the input msmber in [he first intermediate position.

25 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Sheet 2 0f 3 Nov. 4, 1975 U5. Patent U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,918,074

\ S m $1 B FILM TRANSPORTING MECHANISM FOR STILL CAMERAS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to photographic apparatus in general, and more particularly to improvements in film transporting and certain other mecahanisms of photographic apparatus, especially of still cameras for use with photographic roll film having a row of perforations, one for each film frame. Such film is normally stored in suitable cassettes, together with a web of backing paper.

It is already known to provide in a still camera which uses film having a perforation for each film frame with a feeler which penetrates into an oncoming perforation and thereby initiates the termination of film transport. A drawback of presently known apparatus of such character is that the user of the camera cannot immediately or readily discern whether or not the manually or otherwise actuatable input member of the film transporting mechanism is in a proper position prior to the making of an exposure. This is especially important if the input member is designed to prevent the actuation of camera release means before it reassumes its normal or idle position. The situation is further aggravated in cameras wherein the input member must perform several movements, often in different directions, prior to completion of film transport. In such cameras, the user is even less likely to immediately recognize or detect that the film transporting operation is completed or that the input member must be moved by one or more additional steps in order to place the foremost unexposed film frame in accurate register with the picture taking lens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide for a photographic apparatus, especially for a still camera, a film transporting mechanism which is constructed and assembled in such a way that the user can immediately determine whether or not the mechanism has completed the transport of film by the length of a frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved film transporting mechanism of the type wherein a manually or otherwise movable input member must perform several movements prior to completion of film transport by the length of a frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a film transporting mechanism of the just outlined character wherein the input member or another pan of the mechanism can perform one or more additional useful and important functions, such as cocking the shutter, preventing double exposure of film frames, and/or others.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a still camera which embodies the improved film transporting mechanism and is further capable of insuring that the film is neither pulled not pushed during actuation of the camera release.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the camera with novel and improved safety devices which enable the user to detect improper or incomplete operation of one or more camera units.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera wherein the improved film transporting mechanism can properly index a socket for multiple flash lamp holders in spite of the fact that the input member of the film transporting mechanism preferably performs several movements in different directions in order to advance the foremost unexposed film frame into an optimum position behind the picture taking lens.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a camera of the just outlined character with novel indexing means for the socket and with novel and improved means for actuating the indexing means only once while the film is being transported by the length of a frame, even if such transport is carried out in several stages.

The invention is embodied in a photographic apparatus, particularly in a still camera for use with photographic roll film having a row of perforations, one for each film frame. The apparatus comprises a housing having a chamber for a supply of film (e.g., for a dropin cassette for roll film), film transporting means including input means which is mounted in or on the housing to perform a plurality of successive movements in order to complete the transport of film by the length of a frame whereby such movements include a first movement in a first direction from a starting or idle position to an end position, a second movement from the end position in a second direction to an intermediate position short of the starting position, and a third movement in the first direction from the intermediate position, and control means e.g., a lever which is pivotably mounted in the housing) for terminating the second movement of the input means when the latter reaches its intermediate position. The transport of film by the length of a frame is preferably terminated when the input means reaches a second intermediate position short of the aforementioned end position, and the input means thereupon returns to its starting position, preferably under the action of suitable biasing means which also causes the input means to perform its second movement. The apparatus preferably further comprises means for moving the control means to an inoperative position (e.g., from the path of the input means or from the path of a member or part which shares the movements of or is driven by the input means) during the fourth movement of the input means so that the input means is free to move in the second direction beyond the first mentioned intermediate position and all the way to the starting position. The cooking of the shutter preferably takes place during the first or third movement of the input means, and such cocking preferably causes a normally operative blocking lever to release the input means for movement in the second direction. The blocking member automatically blocks the movement of input means in the second direction during a portion of or during the entire first movement of the input means.

Since the first movement of the input means is longer than the third movement, the user can discern whether or not the input means performs the first or third movement. Moreover, the position of the input means upon completion of the second movement is different from the position of input means upon completion of the fourth movement, and this also enables the user to detect whether or not the mechanism has completed the transport of film by the length of a frame.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic ofthe invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved photographic apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a schematic plan view of a still camera which embodies the invention, with the input means in a starting position it assumes upon completion of film transport by the length of a frame;

FIG. 2 is a similar schematic plan view but showing the input means in a first intermediate position upon partial completion of film transport by the length of a frame;

FIG. 3 is a similar schematic plan view but showing the input means in a second intermediate position upon completion of film transport by the length of a frame but before the input means returns to its starting position; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of photographic film which can be used in the camera of FIGS. 1 to 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. I. there is shown a still camera having a housing or body 100 which is provided with a chamber 100a for a drop-in cassette or magazine 103 containing a supply of roll film 107. The takeup reel 103A in the cassette I03 is connected or integral with a small gear 2 which is moved into mesh with a driver gear 5 of the film transporting mechanism in the housing 100 when the cassette 103 is properly inserted into the chamber 1000. The film 107 has a row of perforations 107a (see FIG. 4), one for each film frame.

The film transporting mechanism further comprises a reciprocable input member I which is movable in the housing 100 back and forth in and counter to the direction indicated by arrow I04 and is permanently biased to the starting or first end position of FIG. 1 by a helical return spring I05. The latter reacts against a post 105a of the housing 100 and is attached to a post I05b of the input member 1. The input member 1 has a first elongated toothed rack Ia which meshes with a gear segment 3 of the film transporting mechanism. This segment is rotatable on or with a shaft lI which is journalled in the housing I00 and further supports the driver gear in such a way that the gear 5 can rotate relative to the gear segment 3 or vice versa.

The gear segment 3 has a convex cam face 3a which is tracked by a followed 8b at the free end of one arm ofa bell crank lever B constituting a means for indexing a socket 7 for multiple flash lamp holders, e.g., multiple flash lamp holders of the type known as flashcubes or magicubes. The indexing lever 8 is pivotable on a shaft 8d in the housing 100, and the follower 8b is biased against the cam face 30 by a weak helical spring 8a. The gear segment 3 of the film transporting mechanism is further provided with a pivot member 40 for a pawl 4 which is biased by a helical spring 102 so that its pallet engages the adjacent tooth of the driver gear 5. When the input member 1 moves forwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 104, the rack Ia rotates the gear segment 3 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, whereby the pallet of the pawl 4 transmits torque to the driver gear 5 which rotates the gear 2 clockwise so that the takeup reel 103A in the cassette I03 draws film from the supply reel 1038. The pawl 4 has a relatively short slot 4b for the pivot member 4a of the gear segment 3. The driver gear 5 is held against rotation in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, by an elastic pawl 6a (e.g., a suitably configurated leaf spring) which is attached to a bracket 6 in the housing 100. The pawl 5 4 constitutes a simple one-way clutch whic rotates the gears 5 and 2 only when the input member moves in the direction of arrow 104.

That side of the socket 7 which faces away from the observer of FIG. 1 is formed with a customary usually cruciform) recess which can receive the foot ofa multiple flash lamp holder. The socket 7 is indexible through angles of 90 to thereby place successive flash lamps of a multiple flash lamp holder into an optimum position for illumination of a subject or scene.

The film transporting mechanism including the parts 1, la, 3, 4 and 5 is constructed and assembled in such a way that the transport of roll film I07 by the length of a frame necessitates a second forward movement of the input member 1 after the input member completes a forward movement from the starting or first end position of FIG. I to a second end position (while moving toward the second end position, the input member 1 advances in the direction indicated by the arrow 104). The rack la then rotates the gear segment 3 counterclockwise, and the pallet of the pawl 4 causes the gear 5 to share such angular movement of the gear segment 3 so that the gear 2 rotates clockwise and the core of the takeup reel 103A collects exposed film. The user of the camera relaxes the pressure or pull upon the input member 1 when the latter reaches its second end position whereby the spring I05 contracts and automatically returns the input member 1 toward the starting position of FIG. I. However, the camera comprises a control means which prevents the input member 1 from returning all the way to the starting position of FIG. I upon completion of the first forward stroke (arrow 104). While the input member I moves in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, the rack Ia rotates the gear segment 3 clockwise but the pallet of the pawl 4 merely rides over the teeth of the gear 5 so that the gear 2 is at a standstill. When the input member I reaches a first intermediate position under the action of the spring 105, it is moved again in the direction indicated by arrow 104 but the transport of film 107 by the length of a frame is completed before the input member I reaches its second end position. When the pressure or pull upon the input member I is thereupon relaxed or terminated, the spring 105 automatically returns the input member all the way to the starting or first end position of FIG. 1. Thus, the transport of film 107 by the length of a frame necessitates (a) a movement (arrow I04) of the input member 1 from the starting position of FIG. 1 and all the way to the second end position, (b) a return movement of the input member I under the action of the spring I05 from the second end position to a first intermediate position (i.e., short of the starting position of FIG. I and (c) a movement of the input member 1 (arrow 104) from the first intermediate position to a second intermediate position (i.e., short of the second end position). The input member 1 thereupon returns to the starting position of FIG. I under the action of the spring 105.

During movement of the input member 1 from the starting position of FIG. 1 to the second end position, the cam face 3a causes the right-hand arm of the lever 8 to engage one of four equidistant projections of pins 7a on the socket 7 and to index the socket through 90' in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1. The pin 7a which is to be engaged and moved by the right-hand arm of the indexing lever 8 assumes the 1 /2 oclock position, as viewed in FIG. 2. When the input member 1 thereupon performs a second forward stroke (arrow 104) to move from the first to the second intermediate position and to thereby complete the transport of film 107 by the length of a frame, the right-hand arm of the indexing lever 8 cannot reach the next-following pin 7a even through such pin dwells in the 1 /2 oclock position, so that the socket 7 is indexed only once during each transport of the film 107 by the length of a frame. However, the right-hand arm of the indexing lever 8 is again ready to engage the pin 7a in the 1 /2 oclock position when the input member 1 returns all the way to the starting position of FIG. 1, i.e., upon completion of movement of the input member from the first to the second intermediate position and subsequent to movement of the input member under the action of the spring 105. It will be seen that the socket 7 can be indexed only in response to the first forward stroke of the input member 1, namely, when the input member leaves the starting position of FIG. 1.

The camera further comprises a positioning member which insures that the film portion between the reels 103A and 103B cannot and does not tend to move lengthwise during the making of an exposure. Such exposure is made in response to deformation of a diaphragm 200 (indicated by a phantom-line circle) which forms part of the camera release and whose deformation initiates a movement of the shutter to its open position. The positioning member 10 is a gear which is rotatable on or with a shaft 106 mounted in the housing 100. The positioning member 10 forms part of a gear cluster which further includes a pinion 9 is mesh with a second toothed rack lb of the input member I. A pinshaped disengaging projection or stud 10a is rigid or integral with the positioning member 10, and this member rotates counterclockwise when the input member 1 is caused to move against the opposition of the spring 105.

The housing 100 contains a fixedly mounted pivot member 108 for a pivotable scanning member 11 whose tip 1 l A penetrates into an oncoming perforation 1070 of the film 107 while the gear 2 rotates clockwise in response to movement of the input member 1 from the first to the second intermediate position. The pivot member 108 extends through an elongated slot 11a of the scanning member 11 so that the latter is free to pivot on as well as to reciprocate (within limits) relative to the pivot member 108. The member 108 further supports a pivotable slide 13 which is coupled to the scanning member 11 by a pin-and-slot connection 13A, 138 so that the parts ll, 13 share all angular movements but the scanning member 11 is free to move lengthwise of the slide 13. The latter comprises two projections or lugs 13a, 13b. The parts ll, 13 together constitute a feeler for the perforations 1070 of roll film 107.

The path for the film 107 between the reels 103A and 1038 is indicated by a phantom line 210. The housing 100 contains an expelling device in the form of a ramp 18 which is adjacent to the path 210 and cooperates with an inclined edge face 118 of the scanning member 11 to automatically expel the tip 11A from the adjacent perforation 1070 while the film 107 moves forwardly (arrow 21]) in response to movement of the input member 1 from the starting position of FIG. 1 to the second end position.

A further fixedly mounted pivot member 109 in the housing supports a pivotable arresting lever 12 and a pivotable control lever 16. The levers 12, 16 are coupled to each other by a helical spring 110 which tends to maintain a distancing projection or lug 12g of the arresting lever 12 in abutment with the adjacent edge face of the control lever 16. The arresting lever 12 further comprises a centering portion or tooth 12a which is shown as being adjacent to the lug 13b of the slide 13, a notch or recess 12b which is located opposite the tooth 12a and can receive the lug 13a of the slide 13, an arresting protuberance or tooth which can engage the adjacent teeth of the positioning member 10, two cam faces 12e, 12f, a stop 12d, a follower 12h, and an edge face 121' adjacent to the recess or notch 12b. The free end of the control lever 16 is formed with an edge face or platform 160.

An elastic or rigid retaining lever 17 is mounted in the housing 100 on a pivot pin 17A and comprises a bent-over end portion or stop 17a which can be engaged by the adjacent edge face of the control lever 16. A leaf spring 178 serves as a brake to prevent accidental pivoting of retaining lever 17 on the pivot pin 17A. The stop 17a determines the extent of counterclockwise pivotal movement of the control lever 16 under the action of the coupling spring 110.

A further fixedly mounted pivot member H1 in the housing 100 support a onearmed blocking lever 14 which is biased counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG, 1, by a helical spring 112 tending to maintain a tooth 14a of the blocking lever 14 in mesh with the adjacent teeth of the positioning member ID. The lever 14 can be pivoted from the broken-line to the solid-line position of FIG. 1 by an element 15 of the camera shutter; the element 15 is movable between the phantom-line and solidline positions of FIG. 1. A bent-over lug or projection 14b of the lower end of the blocking lever 14 can be engaged by the stop 12d of the arresting lever 12.

A helical spring 113 couples the arresting lever 12 with the scanning member 11 and tends to pivot the feeler ll, 13 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1.

The picture taking lens (not shown) is mounted in or on the housing 100 in front of the foremost unexposed frame of the film 107, i.e., substantially in the region of the pivot member 111 and spring 105, as viewed in FIG. 1.

The operation is as follows:

If the shutter is cocked (preferably in response to transport of the film 107 by the length of a frame), the element 15 assumes the solid-line position of FIG. 1. The camera is then ready to make an exposure, i.e., the user can effect an opening of the shutter by deforming the diaphragm 200 whereby the picture taking lens admits scene light against the foremost unexposed film frame between the reels 103A, 103B in the cassette 103. The shutter closes automatically after elapse of a preslected interval of time whereby the element 15 moves from the solid-line to the phantom-line position of FIG. 1 and allows the spring 112 to pivot the blocking lever 14 from the solid-line position to the brokenline position so that the tooth 14a engages the adjacent tooth of the positioning member 10 and holds the latter against rotation in a clockwise direction. The lug 14b at the lower end of the blocking lever 14 moves to the broken-line position of FIG. 1 so that it is located in the path of clockwise movement of the stop 12d on the arresting lever 12.

When the foremost unexposed frame of the film 107 is located behind the picture taking lens, the tip 11A of the scanning member 11 extends into the adjacent perforation 1070. The centering tooth 12a of the arresting lever 12 bears against the lug 13b of the slide 13 and maintains the feeler ll, 13 in a predetermined angular position in which the tip 11A is located between the leading and trailing ends of the adjacent perforation 1070 in the film 107, i.e., the tip 11A does not contact any of the surfaces surrounding such perforation 107a and the feeler ll, 13 cannot shift the film lengthwise in response to deformation of the diaphragm 200. In other words, the film 107 is neither pulled nor pushed by the feeler 11, 13 when the camera is ready to make an exposure. in order to be capable of maintaining the feeler l1, 13 in such predetermined angular position (through the medium of the centering tooth 120), the follower 12h of the arresting lever 12 abuts against the disengaging stud 10a of the positioning member 10. The disengaging stud la invariably assumes the predetermined angular position of FIG. 1 when the input member 1 returns to the starting position upon completion of forward transport of the film 107 by the length of a frame. When the disengaging stud a maintains the arresting lever 12 in the angular position of FIG. 1, the arresting tooth 12c is disengaged from the adjacent teeth of the positioning member 10.

If the user thereupon wishes to make a second exposure, the film 107 must be transported by the length of a frame. To this end, the user pushes or pulls the input member 1 in the direction of arrow 104 so that the input member stresses the spring 105 and moves all the way to its second or left-hand end position. This results in certain angular displacement of the takeup reel 103A; however, such angular displacement does not suffice to complete the transport of film 107 by the length of a frame. During the initial stage of movement of film 107 in the direction indicated by arrow 211, the trailing edge of the surface bounding the perforation 107a which receives the tip 11A causes the feeler ll, 13 to pivot clockwise about the fixed pivot member 108 whereby the edge face 118 engages and slides along the inclined surface of the expelling ramp 18 so that the tip 11A is withdrawn from the adjacent perforation 107a and the feeler 11, 13 stresses the spring 1 13.

Furthermore, when the input member 1 leaves the starting position of FIG. 1 and moves in the direction indicated by arrow 104, the rack lb rotates the positioning member 10 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1 (note that the tooth 14a of the blocking lever 14 merely holds the positioning member 10 against rotation in a clockwise direction and that the arresting tooth 12c is still disengaged from the positioning member). Consequently, the disengaging stud 10a moves away from the follower 12h but the arresting tooth 120 is still unable to engage and arrest the positioning member 10 because the stop 12d of the lever 12 moves into abutment with the lug 14b of the blocking lever 14 (the lug 14b is assumed to dwell in the broken-line position of FIG. 1 because the element 15 of the shutter has been permitted to move to the phantom-line position in response to actuation of the camera release including the diaphragm 200) before the tooth 12c can arrest the positioning member 10.

As soon as the tip 11A of the scanning member 1 l is withdrawn from the adjacent perforation 1070 of the 5 film 107, the spring 1 13 is free to contract and to pivot the feeler 11, 13 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, until the feeler reaches and is arrested by a fixed abutment 19 in the housing 100. Moreover, and as the input member 1 continues to move toward its second end position, the element 15 of the shutter returns from the phantom-line position of FIG. 1 to the solid-line position (see also FIG. 2) so that the tooth 14a of the blocking lever 14 is disengaged from the positioning member 10. Thus, the shutter is cocked during movement of the input member 1 from the starting position of FIG. 1 to the second end position so as to permit the positioning member 10 to rotate clockwise during movement of the input member from the second end position to the first intermediate position of FIG. 2. The edge face l2i of the arresting lever 12 abuts against the lug 13a of the slide 13 because the lug 13a is located well to the right of the notch 12b since the feeler 11, 13 engages the abutment 19.

While the input member 1 moves from the second end position toward the first intermediate position under the action of the spring 105, the positioning member 10 rotates clockwise and is arrested (to thereby arrest the input member 1 in the first intermediate position) when the disengaging stud 10a engages the edge face 160 of the control lever 16. A comparison of the positions of displacing stud 10a in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates the distance between the starting and first intermediate positions of the input member 1. The stud 10a pivots the control lever 16 clockwise while the positioning member 10 rotates counterclockwise in response to movement of the input member 1 from its starting position whereby the control lever 16 stresses the spring 110 and moves temporarily away from the stop 17a and distancing lug 12g.

The input member 1 is thereupon again advanced in the direction indicated by arrow 104. The mounting of the spring 113 is such that the feeler ll, 13 is not only biased against the abutment 19 but that the tip 11A is also urged against the front side of the film 107 which moves in the direction indicated by arrow 211. Therefore, the tip 11A automatically penetrates into the oncoming perforation 107a of film 107 shortly before the mechanism 1, 1a, 3, 4, S completes the transport of film by the length of a frame. The tip llA penetrates into the oncoming perforation 1070 shortly before the input member 1 reaches its second intermediate position so that the advancing film 107 entrains the tip 11A and thereby pivots the feeler 11, 13 clockwise, i.e., away from the abutment 19 and toward the expelling ramp 18. The forward movement of film 107 and input membeer 1 is terminated when the lug 13a slides off the edge face 121' of the arresting lever 12 (note that the slide 13 pivots with the scanning member 11) because the lug 13a is then in register with the notch 12b and allows the arresting tooth 12c of the lever 12 to engage and hold the positioning member 10 against further movement in a counterclockwise direction. The tooth 12c engages the positioning member 10 in response to clockwise pivoting of the arresting lever 12 so that the notch 12b moves upwardly and receives the lug 13a of the slide 13. The input member 1 then dwells in the second intermediate position (short of the second end position) and is ready to return to the starting position of FIG. 1 under the action of the spring 105. The arresting lever 12 is pivoted clockwise (to move the tooth 12c into engagement with the positioning member under the action of the spring 113 which thereby causes the distancing projection 123 to pivot the control lever 16 clockwise so that the edge face 160 is moved away from the path of movement of the disengaging stud 10a back toward the position shown in FIG. 1. The arresting tooth 12c merely holds the positioning member 10 against rotation in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in the drawing, but allows the member 10 to rotate clockwise while the input member 1 returns to the starting position of FIG. 1. The element of the shutter holds the blocking lever 14 in the solid-line position so that the tooth 14a is also disengaged from the positioning member 10. FIG. 3 shows the parts of the carnera in positions they assume upon completed transport of film 107 by the length of a frame but prior to movement of the input member 1 back to the starting position of FIG. 1.

As the input member 1 thereupon moves back to the starting position (counter to the direction indicated by arrow 104 and in response to contraction of the spring 105), the positioning member 10 rotates clockwise and causes the disengaging stud 10a to reengage the follower 1211 of the arresting lever 12. This takes place shortly before the input member 1 reaches the starting position so that the disengaging stud 10a pivots the arresting lever 12 counterclockwise whereby the centering tooth 12a engages the lug 13b and centers the tip 11A in the respective perforation 107a so that the feeler ll, 13 is disengaged from the film 107. The stud 10a also disengages the tooth 12c from the positioning member 10 and causes the stop 12a to return to the position shown in FIG. 1 in which the arresting lever 12 cannot prevent the lever 14 from pivoting counterclockwise under the action of the spring 112 as soon as the element 15 of the shutter leaves the solid-line position of FIG. 1. Thus, all parts reassume the solid-line positions of FIG. 1 and the camera is ready to make an exposure in response to renewed deformation of the diaphragm 200.

An important advantage of the improved camera is that the film 107 need not be engaged by any cameramounted parts during the making of exposures. This is effected by the arresting lever 12 whose tooth 12a automatically centers the tip 11A through the medium of the lug 13b on the slide 13 so that the tip 11A is disengaged from the surfaces bounding that perforation 1070 into which the feeler ll, 13 extends. Consequently, the feeler l 1, 13 can neither pull nor push the film 107 and the foremost unexposed film frame can be properly located in the focal plane of the picture taking lens to thereby insure the making of satisfactory exposures.

The user of the camera can readily note whether or not the transport of film 107 by the length of a full frame is completed because the input member 1 can return to the starting position of FIG. 1 only when the foremost unexposed film frame is in accurate register with the picture taking lens. Thus, by looking at the position of the input member 1, the user knows whether or not the input member has returned from the second end position (incomplete film transport) or from the second intermediate position (upon completion of film transport by the length of a frame).

Another advantage of the improved camera is that, in spite of the relatively complex nature of manipulation of the film transporting mechanism (successive movements of the input member 1 in and counter to the direction indicated by arrow 104), a relatively small number of parts participate in actual transport of the film and in disengagement of feeler II, 13 from the film upon completion of transport by the length of a frame. It is also within the purview of the invention to construct and mount the input member I in such a way that the diaphragm 200 can be deformed or that the shutter including the element 15 can be opened only when the input member returns to the starting position of FIG. 1 upon completion of transport of the film 107 by the length of a frame. This can be achieved by mounting on or connecting the input member 1 with a blocking device which allows the element 15 to leave the solid-line position of FIG. 1 only when the input member 1 reassumes its starting position by moving from the second intermediate position under the action of the spring 105.

The stop 12d and the cam face 12.2 of the arresting lever 12 constitute a safety device whic becomes effective if the parts of te camera are not constructed and/or mounted with a high degree of precision, for example, when the parts 14, IS, 14b and 13a are mounted with certain tolerances so that they are likely to cause a malfunctioning of the camera mechanism. The cam face He then prevents repeated back and forth movements of the input member 1 upon or shortly prior to completion of movement to the second end position and/or a blocking of any movements of mobile parts as follows: If the element 15 of the shutter failed to return to the solid line position of FIG. 1 when the input member 1 reaches its second end position, i.e., if the element 15 failed to return the blocking lever M to the solid-line position of FIG. I, the arresting lever 12 assumes an angular position in which the cam face 12e is located in the path of the steers the lug 14b of the lever 14 into a notch 12k below the stop 12d. The tooth 14a then engages the adjacent tooth of the positioning member 10 and holds the latter against movement in a clockwise direction. The user notes that the input member I is held against movement to the first intermediate position and continues to move the input member in the direction indicated by arrow 104 so that the element 15 assumes the solid-line position of FIG. 1 and disengages the tooth 14a from the positioning member 10 which enables the spring to move the input member to the first intermediate position. During such movement of the input member 1, the cam face 12c abuts against the lug 14b and prevents the arresting lever 12 from moving its tooth 12c into engagement with the positioning member 10 so that the latter does not interfere with movement of the input member 1 under the action of the spring 105.

The cam face 12f becomes effective if the input member 1 is moved from its starting position during the making of an exposure and to such an extent that the arresting lever 12 moves its tooth into engagement with the positioning member I0. The cam face 12f then moves into the path of the lug 14b and maintains the tooth 14a out of engagement with the positioning member 10. It will be recalled that the spring 112 is free to pivot the blocking lever 14 cibckwise in response to actuation of the camera releaE lncludin g the diaphragm 200 because the element l Bf the shutter then moves to the phantom-line position of FIG. 1. The cam face 12f then enables the input member 1 to return to the starting position of FIG. 1 under the action of the spring 105 upon completion of the exposure.

It will be recalled that the disengaging stud a pivots the arresting lever 12 counterclockwise while the input member 1 approaches its starting position to thereby disengage the tooth 120 from the positioning member 10. As the disengaging stud 10a bears against the follower l2h to maintain the arresting lever 12 in the angular position of FIG. 1, the tooth 12a of the arresting lever engages the portion or lug 13b of the feeler ll, 13 to thus insure that the tip 1 1A is spaced apart from the leading and trailing edges of the perforation 107a into which the tip 11A extends. Thus, the parts ll, 12 and 13 cannot influence the position of the foremost unexposed film frame when the user actuates the camera release to make an exposure. The tip 11A remains in the adjacent perforation 1070 during the making of an exposure to thus insure that the film 107 can pivot the feeler ll, 13 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, when the input member 1 is caused to leave its starting position. It is to be understood that the maximum dimension of the tip "A (as viewed in the direction of arrow 211) is at least slightly less than the length of a perforation 107a in the film 107 so that the portions 12a, 13b of the arresting lever 12 and feeler ll, 13 can center the tip 11A in the afore-described manner when the stud 10a disengages the tooth 12c from the positioning member 10 in response to completion of move ment of the input member 1 to the starting position of FIG. 1.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In a photographic apparatus, particularly in a still camera for use with photographic roll film having a row of perforations, one for each film frame, a combination comprising a housing having a chamber for a supply of film; film transporting means including input means arranged to perfonn a plurality of successive movements to thereby effect the transport of film in said housing by the length of a frame, said movements including a first movement in a first direction from a starting position to an end position and said film transporting means further comprising means for moving the film through a distance less than the length of a frame during said first movement of said input means; return means for imparting to said input means a second movement from said end position in a second direction toward an intermediate position which is sufiiciently remote from said starting and end positions to allow for visual determination that said input means does not occupy one of said starting and end positions, said movements of said input means further including a third movement from said intermediate position in said first direction through a distance which is sufficient to enable said film moving means to complete the transport of film by the length of a frame, and a fourth movement of said input means under the action of said return means back to said starting position; control means for automatically terminating said second movement of said input means in said intermediate position; and means for moving said control means to an inoperative position during one of said third and fourth movements of said input means so that said input means is free to move in said second direction beyond said intermediate position and all the way back to said starting position during said fourth movement thereof.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said input means is reciprocable in said first and second directions.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1 for use with roll film which is collected by a rotary takeup member in response to movements of said input means in said first direction, said film moving means comprising means for rotating said takeup member in a direction to collect the film only while said input means moves in said first direction.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for rotating said takeup member comprises a driver gear for said takeup member, a second gear, a toothed member provided on said input means to rotate said second gear in response to each movement of said input means, and one-way clutch means interposed between said gears to rotate said driver gear only while said input means moves in said first direction.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising positioning means including a rotary member, said input means comprising means for rotating said rotary member in response to each movement of said input means.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising a feeler arranged to engage the film in said housing and to penetrate into an oncoming perforation of the film during said third movement of said input means, and arresting means movably installed in said housing and arranged to arrest said rotary member of said positioning means in response to penetration of said feeler into said oncoming perforation and to thereby terminate said third movement of said input means.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said third movement of said input means includes a movement in said first direction from said intermediate position to a second intermediate position short of said end position.

8. A combination as defined in claim 6, further comprising displacing means movable with said rotary member of said positioning means and arranged to disengage said arresting means from said positioning means during said fourth movement of said input means, and means for yieldably coupling said control means with said arresting means so that said control means extends into the path of movement of said displacing means when said arresting means is disengaged from said positioning means.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said control means is movable by said displacing means against the opposition of said coupling means during said first movement of said input means and is returned into said path by said coupling means not later than immediately before said input means reaches said intermediate position to thus prevent a movement of said input means to said starting position.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said control means is pivotable in said housing about a predetermined axis.

ll. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for moving said control means is provided on said arresting means.

12. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said arresting means comprises means for holding said rotary member of said positioning means only against movement in response to movement of said input means in said first direction, said means for holding being operative upon penetration of said feeler into said oncoming perforation.

13. A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said rotary member of said positioning means has an annulus of teeth and said means for holding comprises a tooth on said arresting means.

14. A combination as defined in claim 1 for use with roll film which is collected by a takeup member in response to movements of said input means in said first direction and said takeup member has a first gear, said film moving means comprising a toothed rack on said input means, a second gear meshing with said rack so as to rotate forwardly and backwards in response to movements of said input means in said first and second directions, a third gear meshing with said first gear, and a pawl provided on one of said second and third gears and arranged to rotate said third gear and said first gear in response to each movement of said input means in said first direction.

15. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a rotary socket for multiple flash lamp holders, said socket being indexible in said housing, and means for indexing said socket in response to one of said movements of said input means.

16. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said film moving means comprises a gear rotatable by said input means and having a cam face, said means for indexing having a follower tracking said cam face.

17. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said film moving means comprises means for actuating said indexing means during one of said first and third movements of said input means.

18. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said one movement is said first movement of said input means.

19. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising rotary positioning means, said input means comprising means for rotating said positioning means in response to each movement of said input means.

20. A combination as defined in claim 19, further comprising movable blocking means for said positioning means and means for moving said blocking means into engagement with said positioning means whereby said blocking means holds said positioning means against rotation in one direction while said positioning means rotates in the opposite direction in response to one of said first and third movements of said input means.

21. A combination as defined in claim 20, wherein said positioning means has an annulus of teeth and said blocking means comprises a tooth which engages one tooth of said positioning means during said one movement of said input means.

22. In a photographic apparatus. particularly in a still camera for use with photographic roll film having a row of perforations, one for each film frame, a combination comprising a housing having a chamber for a supply of film; film transporting means including input means arranged to perform a plurality of movements to thereby complete the transport of film in said housing by the length of a frame, said movements including a first movement in a first direction from a starting position to an end position, a second movement from said end starting and end positions, said movements of said input means further including a third movement from said intermediate position in said first direction through a distance which is sufficient to enable said film moving means to complete the transport of film by the length of a frame, and a fourth movement of said input means under the action of said return means back to said starting position; control means for automatically terrninating said second movement of said input means in said intermediate position; and means for moving said control means to an inoperative position during one of said third and fourth movements of said input means so that said input means is free to move in said second direction beyond said intermediate position and all the way back to said starting position during said fourth movement thereof.

23. A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said safety device comprises a first portion on said arresting means and said blocking means comprises a second portion extending into the path of movement of said first portion to thereby prevent said arresting means from engaging said positioning means while said positioning means is held by said blocking means against rotation in said one direction.

24. A combination as defined in claim 23, wherein said means for effecting said movement of said blocking means into engagement with said positioning means comprises a shutter element and said safety device further comprises a cam provided on said arresting means and cooperating with said second portion to maintain said arresting means out of engagement with said positioning means when said shutter element fails to effect a movement of said blocking means into engagement with said positioning means.

25. A combination as defined in claim 22, further comprising a camera release, said safety device comprising a cam arranged to cooperate with said blocking means to prevent said arresting means from engaging said positioning means in response to actuation of said release means simultaneously with movement of said input means to a position in which said arresting means is normally free to engage said positioning means. 

1. In a photographic apparatus, particularly in a still camera for use with photographic roll film having a row of perforations, one for each film frame, a combination comprising a housing having a chamber for a supply of film; film transporting means including input means arranged to perform a plurality of successive movements to thereby effect the transport of film in said housing by the length of a frame, said movements including a first movement in a first direction from a starting position to an end position and said film tranSporting means further comprising means for moving the film through a distance less than the length of a frame during said first movement of said input means; return means for imparting to said input means a second movement from said end position in a second direction toward an intermediate position which is sufficiently remote from said starting and end positions to allow for visual determination that said input means does not occupy one of said starting and end positions, said movements of said input means further including a third movement from said intermediate position in said first direction through a distance which is sufficient to enable said film moving means to complete the transport of film by the length of a frame, and a fourth movement of said input means under the action of said return means back to said starting position; control means for automatically terminating said second movement of said input means in said intermediate position; and means for moving said control means to an inoperative position during one of said third and fourth movements of said input means so that said input means is free to move in said second direction beyond said intermediate position and all the way back to said starting position during said fourth movement thereof.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said input means is reciprocable in said first and second directions.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1 for use with roll film which is collected by a rotary takeup member in response to movements of said input means in said first direction, said film moving means comprising means for rotating said takeup member in a direction to collect the film only while said input means moves in said first direction.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for rotating said takeup member comprises a driver gear for said takeup member, a second gear, a toothed member provided on said input means to rotate said second gear in response to each movement of said input means, and one-way clutch means interposed between said gears to rotate said driver gear only while said input means moves in said first direction.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising positioning means including a rotary member, said input means comprising means for rotating said rotary member in response to each movement of said input means.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising a feeler arranged to engage the film in said housing and to penetrate into an oncoming perforation of the film during said third movement of said input means, and arresting means movably installed in said housing and arranged to arrest said rotary member of said positioning means in response to penetration of said feeler into said oncoming perforation and to thereby terminate said third movement of said input means.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said third movement of said input means includes a movement in said first direction from said intermediate position to a second intermediate position short of said end position.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 6, further comprising displacing means movable with said rotary member of said positioning means and arranged to disengage said arresting means from said positioning means during said fourth movement of said input means, and means for yieldably coupling said control means with said arresting means so that said control means extends into the path of movement of said displacing means when said arresting means is disengaged from said positioning means.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said control means is movable by said displacing means against the opposition of said coupling means during said first movement of said input means and is returned into said path by said coupling means not later than immediately before said input means reaches said intermediate position to thus prevent a movement of said input means to said starting position.
 10. A combinaTion as defined in claim 9, wherein said control means is pivotable in said housing about a predetermined axis.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for moving said control means is provided on said arresting means.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said arresting means comprises means for holding said rotary member of said positioning means only against movement in response to movement of said input means in said first direction, said means for holding being operative upon penetration of said feeler into said oncoming perforation.
 13. A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said rotary member of said positioning means has an annulus of teeth and said means for holding comprises a tooth on said arresting means.
 14. A combination as defined in claim 1 for use with roll film which is collected by a takeup member in response to movements of said input means in said first direction and said takeup member has a first gear, said film moving means comprising a toothed rack on said input means, a second gear meshing with said rack so as to rotate forwardly and backwards in response to movements of said input means in said first and second directions, a third gear meshing with said first gear, and a pawl provided on one of said second and third gears and arranged to rotate said third gear and said first gear in response to each movement of said input means in said first direction.
 15. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a rotary socket for multiple flash lamp holders, said socket being indexible in said housing, and means for indexing said socket in response to one of said movements of said input means.
 16. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said film moving means comprises a gear rotatable by said input means and having a cam face, said means for indexing having a follower tracking said cam face.
 17. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said film moving means comprises means for actuating said indexing means during one of said first and third movements of said input means.
 18. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said one movement is said first movement of said input means.
 19. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising rotary positioning means, said input means comprising means for rotating said positioning means in response to each movement of said input means.
 20. A combination as defined in claim 19, further comprising movable blocking means for said positioning means and means for moving said blocking means into engagement with said positioning means whereby said blocking means holds said positioning means against rotation in one direction while said positioning means rotates in the opposite direction in response to one of said first and third movements of said input means.
 21. A combination as defined in claim 20, wherein said positioning means has an annulus of teeth and said blocking means comprises a tooth which engages one tooth of said positioning means during said one movement of said input means.
 22. In a photographic apparatus, particularly in a still camera for use with photographic roll film having a row of perforations, one for each film frame, a combination comprising a housing having a chamber for a supply of film; film transporting means including input means arranged to perform a plurality of movements to thereby complete the transport of film in said housing by the length of a frame, said movements including a first movement in a first direction from a starting position to an end position, a second movement from said end starting and end positions, said movements of said input means further including a third movement from said intermediate position in said first direction through a distance which is sufficient to enable said film moving means to complete the transport of film by the length of a frame, and a fourth movement of said input means under the action of said return means back to said sTarting position; control means for automatically terminating said second movement of said input means in said intermediate position; and means for moving said control means to an inoperative position during one of said third and fourth movements of said input means so that said input means is free to move in said second direction beyond said intermediate position and all the way back to said starting position during said fourth movement thereof.
 23. A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said safety device comprises a first portion on said arresting means and said blocking means comprises a second portion extending into the path of movement of said first portion to thereby prevent said arresting means from engaging said positioning means while said positioning means is held by said blocking means against rotation in said one direction.
 24. A combination as defined in claim 23, wherein said means for effecting said movement of said blocking means into engagement with said positioning means comprises a shutter element and said safety device further comprises a cam provided on said arresting means and cooperating with said second portion to maintain said arresting means out of engagement with said positioning means when said shutter element fails to effect a movement of said blocking means into engagement with said positioning means.
 25. A combination as defined in claim 22, further comprising a camera release, said safety device comprising a cam arranged to cooperate with said blocking means to prevent said arresting means from engaging said positioning means in response to actuation of said release means simultaneously with movement of said input means to a position in which said arresting means is normally free to engage said positioning means. 